System and method for adaptive transmission time interval (TTI) structure

ABSTRACT

Methods and devices are provided for communicating data in a wireless channel. In one example, a method includes adapting the transmission time interval (TTI) length of transport container for transmitting data in accordance with a criteria. The criteria may include (but is not limited to) a latency requirement of the data, a buffer size associated with the data, a mobility characteristic of a device that will receive the data. The TTI lengths may be manipulated for a variety of reasons, such as for reducing overhead, satisfy quality of service (QoS) requirements, maximize network throughput, etc. In some embodiments, TTIs having different TTI lengths may be carried in a common radio frame. In other embodiments, the wireless channel may partitioned into multiple bands each of which carrying (exclusively or otherwise) TTIs having a certain TTI length.

This patent application is a continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 13/611,823 , filed on Sep. 12, 2012 and entitled “System and Method for Adaptive Transmission Time Interval (TTI) Structure,”which is hereby incorporated by reference herein as if reproduced in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to wireless communications, and more specifically, to a system and method for adapting the length of transmission time intervals (TTIs).

BACKGROUND

Modern wireless networks must support the communication of diverse traffic types (e.g., voice, data, etc.) having different latency requirements, while at the same time satisfying overall network/channel throughput requirements. The ability to satisfy these latency and throughput requirements is affected by, inter alia, wireless channel conditions and wireless channel parameters. One wireless channel parameter that significantly affects both latency and throughput performance is the size (or length) of the transport containers used to carry the traffic. Conventional networks use a single, fixed-length, transport container, and are therefore limited in their ability to adapt to changes in wireless channel conditions, usage, etc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Technical advantages are generally achieved by embodiments of the present invention which adapt the length of downlink transmission time intervals (TTIs) in downlink radio frames to satisfy latency and/or throughput performance.

In accordance with an embodiment, a method of communicating data in a wireless channel is provided. In this example, the method comprises receiving a first data and a second data. The method further includes transporting the first data in transmission time intervals (TTIs) of the wireless channel having a first TTI length; and transporting the second data in TTIs of the wireless channel having a second TTI length that is different than the first TTI length. A transmitting device for performing this method is also provided. A device for receiving data transmitted in accordance with this method is also provided.

In accordance with another embodiment, another method for communicating data in a wireless channel is provided. In this example, the method includes receiving a first data destined for a receiving device, selecting a first TTI length for transporting the first data, and transmitting the first data in a first TTI of the wireless channel having the first TTI length. The method further includes receiving a second data destined for the receiving device, selecting a second TTI length for transporting the second data, and transmitting the second data in a second TTI of the wireless channel having the second TTI length. A transmitting device for performing this method is also provided. A device for receiving data transmitted in accordance with this method is also provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a diagram of an embodiment of a wireless communications network;

FIG. 2 illustrates a diagram of a prior art downlink channel carrying fixed-length TTIs;

FIG. 3 illustrates a diagram of an embodiment of a downlink channel carrying variable-length TTIs;

FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of an embodiment method for adapting TTI-lengths in a DL channel;

FIG. 5 illustrates a diagram of an embodiment for selecting TTI-lengths for transporting data in a DL channel;

FIG. 6 illustrates a protocol diagram of an embodiment communication sequence for adapting TTI-lengths in a DL channel; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart of another embodiment method for adapting TTI-lengths in a DL channel;

FIG. 8 illustrates a protocol diagram of another embodiment communication sequence for adapting TTI-lengths in a DL channel;

FIG. 9 illustrates a diagram of another embodiment of a DL channel carrying variable-length TTIs;

FIG. 10 illustrates a diagram of an embodiment of a DL channel carrying TTIs have various lengths;

FIG. 11 illustrates a diagram of an embodiment of a DL channel carrying TTIs have various lengths; and

FIG. 12 illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of a communications device.

Corresponding numerals and symbols in the different figures generally refer to corresponding parts unless otherwise indicated. The figures are drawn to clearly illustrate the relevant aspects of the preferred embodiments and are not necessarily drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

The making and using of the presently preferred embodiments are discussed in detail below. It should be appreciated, however, that the present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts that can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention, and do not limit the scope of the invention.

Conventional wireless networks use fixed length transport containers. For instance, networks operating under the third generation partnership (3GGP) long term evolution (LTE) release eight (rel-8) telecommunication standards use one millisecond (ms) transmission time intervals (TTIs). The length of a transport container can significantly affect latency performance and throughput performance of the network. Specifically, shorter transport containers achieve superior latency performance by providing more frequent transmission opportunities, while longer transport containers achieve superior throughput performance by reducing signaling overhead. Hence, fixed length transport containers may be unable to satisfy latency requirements and/or provide desired throughput performance under some network conditions. As such, mechanisms or techniques for varying transport container length are desired in order to achieve improved network performance.

Aspects of this disclosure provide mechanisms for adapting the length of transport containers in accordance with various parameters (e.g., latency requirements, buffer size, user mobility characteristics, etc.). Although much of this disclosure is presented in the context of LTE (e.g., transport containers may be referred to as TTIs, etc.), the techniques and/or mechanisms discussed herein can be applied to non-LTE networks (e.g., any frequency division duplex and/or time division duplex communication systems). Although much of this disclosure are discussed in the context of downlink communications, the principles described herein can also be applied to provide adaptive TTI structures in uplink communications, as well as other forms of wireless communications (e.g., device-to-device, etc).

FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless network 100 comprising a cellular coverage area 101 within which an eNB 110 provides wireless access to a plurality of UEs 115, 125. The eNB 110 may provide wireless access by establishing a downlink communication channel (solid arrows) and an uplink communication channel (dotted arrows) with the UEs 115,125. In an embodiment, the wireless network 100 may operate in accordance with an LTE communication protocol. The downlink communication channel may carry data channels (e.g., physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), etc.) and control channels (e.g., a physical downlink shared channels (PDCCH), etc.). More specifically, the control channels may include UE/group specific control channels and common control channels that carry downlink control information to the UEs (and/or relays), as well as uplink (UL)-related control channels that carry various uplink control information to the UEs (e.g., hybrid automatic repeat request (HARM), acknowledge/negative-acknowledge (ACK/NACK), UL grant etc.).

FIG. 2 illustrates a prior art DL channel 200 carrying a plurality of radio frames 210-220. As shown, TTIs in the radio frames 210-220 are fixed length, with each TTI carrying a common control channel, a group/UE-specific control channel, and UL-related control channels.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a DL channel 300 carrying a plurality of radio frames 310-320. Unlike the prior art DL channel 200, the DL channel 300 carries variable-length TTIs. The periodicity of the common control channel is determined by the periodicity of the radio frames (e.g., one common control channel per radio-frame). The periodicity of the group/UE-specific control channel is determined by the periodicity of variable-length TTIs (e.g., one group/UE-specific control channel per TTI). Notably, including a group/UE-specific control channel in each TTI allows the eNB to dynamically schedule UEs to TTIs as often as the smallest length-TTI (i.e., as often as the atomic interval). Further, the UL-related control channel is decoupled from the TTI structure, such that the periodicity of the UL-related control channel is independent from the length/periodicity of the variable-length TTIs. For instance, the TTI 311 carries one UL-related control channel, while the TTI 313 carries three UL-related control channels. Notably, some TTIs do not carry any UL-related control channels. Hence, the amount of control overhead in the DL channel 300 is variable, and depends on the periodicity of the UL-related control channel (e.g., as configured by the network administrator) as well as the periodicity of the group/UE specific control channel (e.g., as determined by the TTI-length configurations of the radio frames 310-320).

FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of a method 400 for adapting TTI-lengths in a DL channel. The method 400 begins at step 410, where the eNB receives a first data destined for a first user. Thereafter, the method 400 proceeds to step 420, where the eNB receives a second data destined for a second user. The first data and the second data may be buffered in separate buffers of the eNB. Thereafter, the method 400 proceeds to step 430, where the eNB selects a first TTI-length for transporting the first data. This selection may be made in accordance with various selection criteria, including latency requirements, buffer size, mobility characteristics of the first user, etc. Thereafter, the method 400 proceeds to step 440, where the eNB selects a second TTI-length for transporting the second data. Next, the method 400 proceeds to step 450, where the eNB transmits the first data in a first TTI having the first TTI-length. Next, the method 400 proceeds to step 460, where the eNB transmits the second data in a second TTI having the second TTI-length. The first data and the second data may be transmitted in a common radio-frame.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart of a method 500 for selecting TTI-lengths for transporting data in a DL channel. Notably, the method 500 represents just one example for selecting TTI-lengths. Other examples that consider other factors and/or have more TTI-length designations may also be used to select TTI-lengths for data transmission. The method 500 begins at step 510, where the eNB determines whether the latency requirement of the data (e.g., whether the data requires low latency), which may be determined in accordance with the traffic type of the data. For instance, some traffic types (e.g., voice, mobile gaming, etc.) may require low levels of latency, while other traffic types (e.g., messaging, email, etc.) may have less stringent latency requirements.

If the data requires low latency, then a short TTI-length 515 is selected to transport the data. If the data has a higher (i.e., less stringent) latency requirement, then the method 500 proceeds to step 520, where the eNB determines the buffer size used to store the data. Specifically, the buffer size of the data is indicative of the amount of data that needs to be transported. When large amounts of data need to be transported, then longer TTI-lengths may provide higher throughput rates by minimizing overhead. However, large TTI-lengths may not be warranted when only small amounts of data need to be transported. For instance, if there is not enough data to fill the long TTI, then a medium TTI-length may be more efficient. If the data has a small buffer size, then a medium TTI-length 525 is selected. Otherwise, if the data has a large buffer size, then the method 500 proceeds to step 530.

At step 530, the eNB determines whether the user has a low, medium, high or very-high mobility characteristic. A user's mobility characteristic may correspond to a rate at which the user is moving. For instance, users that are moving at a higher rates of speed (e.g., a user communicating in a car) have higher mobility characteristics than users moving at comparatively lower rates of speed (e.g., a user walking through a park). Notably, a user's mobility characteristic is highly correlated to wireless channel stability, as highly mobile users experience more volatile channel conditions than less mobile users. Moreover, wireless channel stability heavily influences the degree to which link adaptation can be improved through more frequent channel estimation opportunities. That is, users having moderate to high mobility characteristics may achieve improved bit-rates when using medium TTI-lengths (or even short TTI-lengths) due to enhanced link adaptation resulting from more frequent channel estimation opportunities. These higher bitrates may outweigh the overhead savings of long TTI-lengths, and consequently may increase overall throughput for those users. However, fast link adaptation capabilities may be less beneficial for stationary or slow moving users, as those users experience relatively stable channel conditions. As a result, low mobility users may derive higher throughput by exploiting the low-overhead nature of long TTI-lengths, rather than the faster link adaptation capabilities derived from medium or low TTI-lengths. In addition, users that have very high mobility characteristics (e.g., users moving at very-high rates of speed) may derive little or no gain from link adaptation, as channel conditions may be changing too quickly to perform channel estimation with sufficient accuracy to improve the bit-rate. Hence, very-high mobility users may achieve higher throughput from long TTI-lengths. Referring once again to the method 500, if the data is destined for a user having moderate to high mobility, then the eNB selects a medium TTI-length for transporting the data (at step 530). Alternatively, if the user has either low or very-high mobility, then the eNB selects a medium TTI-length for transporting the data (at step 530). Notability, degrees of mobility (low, medium, high, and very high) may be relative to the network conditions and/or capabilities of the wireless communication devices.

FIG. 6 illustrates a protocol diagram for a communications sequence 600 for communicating data in TTIs having varying TTI-lengths. The communications sequence 600 begins when a first data (Data_1) 610 and a second data (Data_1) 615 destined for the UE1 115 and UE 125 (respectively) are communicated from the backhaul network 130 to the eNB 110. Upon reception, the eNB 110 determines which TTI-length to transport the Data_1 610 and the Data_1 615. The eNB 110 communicates the TTI-lengths by sending a TTI length configuration (Data_1) message 620 and a TTI length configuration (Data_2) message 625 to the UEs 115 and 125 (respectively). Thereafter, the eNB 110 communicates the Data_1 610 and the Data_2 620 via the DL data transmission (Data_1) 630 and the DL data transmission (Data_2) 635. In an embodiment, the DL data transmission (Data_1) 630 and the DL data transmission (Data_2) 635 may be carried in different length TTIs of a common radio-frame.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart of a method 700 for adapting TTI-lengths in a DL channel. The method 700 begins at step 710, where the eNB receives a first data destined for a user. Thereafter, the method 700 proceeds to step 720, where the eNB selects a first TTI-length for transporting the first data. Thereafter, the method 700 proceeds to step 730, where the eNB transmits the first data in a first TTI having the first TTI-length. Next, the method 700 proceeds to step 740, where the eNB receives a second data destined for the same user. Thereafter, the method 700 proceeds to step 750, where the eNB selects a second TTI-length for transporting the second data. The second TTI-length may be different than the first TTI-length for various reasons. For instance, the first data and the second data may have different latency requirements and/or buffer sizes, and/or then user's mobility characteristics may have changed. Next, the method 700 proceeds to step 760, where the eNB transmits the second data in a second TTI having the second TTI-length.

FIG. 8 illustrates a protocol diagram for a communications sequence 800 for adapting the TTI-lengths used for carrying data to a common user. The communications sequence 800 begins when a Data_1 810 destined for a UE 115 is communicated from the backhaul network 130 to the eNB 110. Upon reception, the eNB 110 selects a TTI-length for transporting the Data_1 810, which the eNB 110 communicates to the UE 110 via the TTI length configuration (Data_1) message 820. Thereafter, the eNB 110 communicates the Data _1 810 in the DL data transmission (Data_1) 830. Thereafter, a Data_2 840 destined for a UE 115 is communicated from the backhaul network 130 to the eNB 110. Upon reception, the eNB 110 selects a TTI-length for transporting the Data_2 840, which the eNB 110 communicates to the UE 110 via the TTI length configuration (Data_2) message 850. Thereafter, the eNB 110 communicates the Data_2 840 in the DL data transmission (Data_2) 860. In an embodiment, the DL data transmission (Data_1) 830 and DL data transmission (Data_2) 860 may be carried in the TTIs having different TTI lengths. The DL data transmission (Data_1) 830 and DL data transmission (Data_2) 860 may be communicated in the same, or different, radio frames.

In some embodiments, the TTI structure of radio frames may be adapted dynamically, such the TTI length configuration messages/indications are included in the Group/UE-specific control channel of each TTI. On one hand, dynamically adapting the TTI structure of radio frames with such granularity may provide high degrees of flexibility with respect to TTI-length adaptation. On the other hand, the inclusion of additional control signaling in the UE/group specific control channel may significantly increase overhead in the radio frame, as the UE/group specific control channel is communicated relatively frequently (e.g., in each TTI). To reduce the overhead attributable to TTI-length adaptation, the TTI structure of radio frame may be adapted in a semi-static manner.

FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of a DL channel 900 carrying a plurality of variable-length TTIs in a plurality of radio frames 910-920. The DL channel 900 may be somewhat similar to the DL channel 300, with the exception that the DL channel 900 carries the TTI length configuration messages/indications in the common control channel, rather than the UE-Group specific control channels. This may reduce the overhead attributable to TTI-length adaptation when high-frequency adaptation is unnecessary. Furthermore, different TTI-lengths may occupy different portions of the DL channel 900 through bandwidth partitioning. Such bandwidth partitioning may depend on the amount of UEs configured for a particular TTI length. For example, if there are twice the amount of UEs configured for the short TTI-length than the medium TTI-length, the bandwidth occupied by the short TTI-length may be twice the amount of bandwidth occupied by the medium-TTI length. An advantage of this semi-static arrangement is that the UEs know the TTI location in time and bandwidth partitioning by virtue of the aforementioned configuration messages/indications, and consequently the UEs only need to look for its UE/Group specific control channels in the time-frequency regions corresponding to the particular TTI-length. Hence, rather than having to search for the entire bandwidth and every atomic interval for its UE/Group specific control channels, this arrangement reduces the control channel decoding complexity of a UE.

A further alternative for reducing overhead is to perform TTI-length adaptation in radio frames that have a static TTI structure. In this context, radio frames having a static structure comprise a variety of TTI-lengths with which to schedule users, but the ratio and placement of TTIs is fixed such that TTI-length does not change from one radio frame to another. FIG. 10 illustrates a downlink channel 1000 for communicating radio frames 1010-1020 having a static TTI structure. Notably, the radio frame 1010 and 1020 have identical TTI structures such that the placement/ratio of the short, medium, and long TTIs does not change from one radio frame to another. Hence, TTI-length adaptation is accomplished in the downlink channel 1000 through selective scheduling (e.g., scheduling users to different TTI-lengths), rather than by adapting the TTI structure of the radio frames 1010-1020. Similarly, TTI-length adaptation can be achieved via carrier aggregation. FIG. 11 illustrates a downlink channel 1000 for achieving TTI-length adaptation via carrier aggregation. As shown, mid-length TTIs are carried in the frequency band 1110, short-length TTIs are carried in the frequency band 1120, and long-length TTIs are carried in the frequency band 1130. Like the fixed-frame structure of the downlink channel 1000, TTI-length adaptation is accomplished in the downlink channel 1100 through selective scheduling (e.g., scheduling users to different TTI-lengths).

FIG. 12 illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of a communications device 1200, which may be implemented as one or more devices (e.g., UEs, eNBs, etc.) discussed above. The communications device 1200 may include a processor 1204, a memory 1206, a cellular interface 1210, a supplemental wireless interface 1212, and a supplemental interface 1214, which may (or may not) be arranged as shown in FIG. 12. The processor 1204 may be any component capable of performing computations and/or other processing related tasks, and the memory 1206 may be any component (volatile, non-volatile, or otherwise) capable of storing programming and/or instructions for the processor 1204. In embodiments, the memory 1206 is non-transitory. The cellular interface 1210 may be any component or collection of components that allows the communications device 1200 to communicate using a cellular signal, and may be used to receive and/or transmit information over a cellular connection of a cellular network. The supplemental wireless interface 1212 may be any component or collection of components that allows the communications device 1200 to communicate via a non-cellular wireless protocol, such as a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth protocol, or a control protocol. The supplemental interface 1214 may be any component or collection of components that allows the communications device 1200 to communicate via a supplemental protocol, including wire-line protocols.

Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure of the present invention, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed, that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present invention. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps. 

What is claimed:
 1. A method of communicating data in a wireless channel, the method comprising: receiving, by an access point (AP), at least a first data and a second data from a network; and transmitting, by the AP, the first data in a first time-frequency region and the second data in a second time-frequency region of a common downlink radio frame, the first time-frequency region occupying a different bandwidth partition than the second time-frequency region, wherein the first time-frequency region and the second time-frequency region have different time durations.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first time-frequency region and the second time-frequency region have different fixed time durations.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the time durations of the first time-frequency region and the second time-frequency region are dynamically determined based on characteristics of the first data and the second data, respectively.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the time durations of the first time-frequency region and the second time-frequency region are determined based on a buffer size associated with the first data and the second data, respectively.
 5. The method of claim 3, wherein the time durations of the first time-frequency region and the second time-frequency region are determined based on a latency requirement of the first data and the second data, respectively.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first data is transmitted to a first user equipment (UE) and the second data is transmitted to a second UE, or the first data and second data are transmitted to the first UE, wherein the time durations of the first time-frequency region and the second time-frequency region are determined based on characteristics of the first UE and the second UE, respectively.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the time durations of the first time-frequency region and the second time-frequency region are determined based on mobility characteristics of the first UE and the second UE, respectively.
 8. An access point(AP) comprising: a processor; and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing programming for execution by the processor, the programming including instructions to: receive at least a first data and a second data from a network; and transmit the first data in a first time-frequency region and the second data in a second time-frequency region of a common downlink radio frame, the first time-frequency region occupying a different bandwidth partition than the second time-frequency region, wherein the first time-frequency region and the second time-frequency region have different time durations.
 9. The AP of claim 8, wherein the first time-frequency region and the second time-frequency region have different fixed time durations.
 10. The AP of claim 8, wherein the time durations of the first time-frequency region and the second time-frequency region are dynamically determined based on characteristics of the first data and the second data, respectively.
 11. The AP of claim 10, wherein the time durations of the first time-frequency region and the second time-frequency region are determined based on a latency requirement of the first data and the second data, respectively.
 12. The AP of claim 10, wherein the time durations of the first time-frequency region and the second time-frequency region are determined based on a buffer size associated with the first data and the second data, respectively.
 13. The AP of claim 8, wherein the first data is transmitted to a first user equipment (UE) and the second data is transmitted to a second UE, and wherein the time durations of the first time-frequency region and the second time-frequency region are determined based on characteristics of the first UE and the second UE, respectively.
 14. The AP of claim 13, wherein the time durations of the first time-frequency region and the second time-frequency region are dynamically determined based on mobility characteristics of the first UE and the second UE, respectively.
 15. A method for communicating data in a wireless channel, the method comprising: receiving, by an access point (AP), at least a first data from a network; and transmitting, by the AP, the at least the first data in a first time-frequency region of a common downlink radio frame, the common downlink radio frame comprising at least the first time-frequency region and a second time-frequency region, wherein the first time-frequency region occupies a different bandwidth partition than the second time-frequency region, and wherein the first time-frequency region and the second time-frequency region have different time durations.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the first time-frequency region and the second time-frequency region have different fixed time durations.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the time durations of the first time-frequency region and the second time-frequency region are dynamically determined based on characteristics of data carried by the first time-frequency region and the second time-frequency region, respectively.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the time durations of the first time-frequency region and the second time-frequency region are determined based on a buffer size associated with data carried by the first time-frequency region and the second time-frequency region, respectively.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the time durations of the first time-frequency region and the second time-frequency region are determined based on a latency requirement of data carried by the first time-frequency region and the second time-frequency region, respectively.
 20. The method of claim 15, wherein the time durations of the first time-frequency region and the second time-frequency region are determined based on a mobility characteristic of user equipments (UEs) receiving data carried by the first time-frequency region and the second time-frequency region, respectively.
 21. An access point (AP) comprising: a processor; and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing programming for execution by the processor, the programming including instructions to: receive at least a first data from a network; and transmit the at least the first data in a first time-frequency region of a common downlink radio frame, the common downlink radio frame comprising at least the first time-frequency region and a second time-frequency region, wherein the first time-frequency region occupies a different bandwidth partition than the second time-frequency region, and wherein the first time-frequency region and the second time-frequency region have different time durations.
 22. The method of claim 1, wherein the first time-frequency region and the second time-frequency region occupy different portions of the wireless channel.
 23. The method of claim 3, wherein a time-frequency region length of the first time-frequency region is shorter than a time-frequency region length of the second time-frequency region to enable the first time-frequency region to support low latency traffic. 